Santa Claus has once again contacted the Winthrop Firefighters to make plans for visiting the Town of Winthrop. On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 (Christmas Eve) Santa will be escorted through the streets of Winthrop by the Winthrop Firefighters.

Rain or snow will not keep Santa from completing this annual tradition, but cars parked illegally or parked on or close to corners can keep Santa from certain streets. So please, for Santa and his helpers, work with your neighbors in making sure that Santa’s route remains open. If you are new to Winthrop or have never seen this special procession, do not miss it. It is truly spectacular event!

Congratulations to Winthrop Middle School Students of the Month for Citizenship – Julie Forster and Michael Chavis, Grade 6. Keep up the great work!

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Thank you to Winthrop Charities for their generous donation of $1000.00 to the Arthur T. Cummings School to purchase toys and warm clothes for students in need. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

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24 students (juniors) were inducted into the National Honor Society last Tuesday evening at Winthrop High School. Students are chosen for academic excellence, leadership, character and community service.

The Vocal Vikings are having a Holiday Concert on Thursday, December19th at the Winthrop Playhouse at 7:00pm. Please join us and enjoy the musical talent of our students!

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WHS Cheerleaders are hosting a “Skate with Santa Night” on Monday, December 23rd from 4:15pm-6:15pm at Larsen Rink at the Michael Eruzione Center. Admission is $10.00 and includes skating, raffles, face-painting, music, a concession stand and pictures with Santa! All proceeds go to the WHS Cheerleaders on their way to Nationals in Walt Disney World, Florida! Please join us in supporting our Lady Vikings. If you are unable to attend, but would like to help them reach their goal, donations can be sent to: WHS Cheer Booster Club, c/o East Boston Savings Bank, 575 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151.

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Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is working with our State Representatives and Senators to improve Winthrop Beach. Please visit this link (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013MBC) to submit your opinions about your beaches!

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Flu shots are still available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00pm in the health office. Bring all insurance cards. For more information, call 617-846-1852 ext. 1060

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The Red Cross is having a blood drive this Saturday morning, December 21st, at the Zenith Lodge. The hours are 9am-2pm. To make an appointment, call 1-800 Red Cross or go to redcrossblood.org.

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Winthrop Youth Lacrosse sign ups end December 30th!! Forms can be downloaded and printed from the website:

“VBG” is considered to be one of the top year round athlete development organizations in Massachusetts offering skills programs, camps and clinics.

This 8 week program is for boys and girls in grades K-4 and begins on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Boys in grades K-1: 9:00 AM – 10:15AM

Girls in grades K-1: 10:15 AM – 11:30AM

~ Boys and girls in grades 2, 3 & 4: 12:00PM – 1:15PM

Program will be held on the following dates:

January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8 and March 1, 8 & 15

Program fee is $105.00 per child.

Register online at www.winthroprec.com or at the Recreation office located in the rear of the Middle School. Entry to office is through the office is through the parking lot off of Brookfield Road. They are the 1st door on the right as you enter the parking lot. Call 617-846-8243 for more information.

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We need to hear from you!

The town of Winthrop and MGH are working together to conduct a community-wide health assessment. If you are a resident of Winthrop or you work in Winthrop, please take about 10 minutes of your time to answer the following questions. Please note, the answers you provide are anonymous. This means personal identifiers are not linked to your answers in any way.

Over the next two months, we will be talking to residents and collecting data through surveys and meetings. In the spring this data will be reviewed at a community forum where residents will have a chance to help prioritize issues and develop a plan to address them. A final report detailing this plan will be shared with the community in September.